Caisson

ABSTRACT

A caisson for maritime works, consisting of a base ( 1 ) and at least one lateral wall ( 2 ) attached to the same and formed by a plurality of voussoirs ( 3 ). Within the same a main space ( 4 ) is defined, intended to receive granular material as ballast. The voussoirs ( 3 ) feature an upper side ( 5 ), a lower side ( 6 ) and lateral sides ( 7 ) and are arranged with the lateral sides ( 7 ) of adjacent voussoirs ( 3 ) attached to each other, forming horizontal segments ( 8 ). Said horizontal segments ( 8 ) are attached to other identical horizontal segments ( 8 ) to define the lateral wall ( 2 ) by means of the union of the lower sides ( 6 ) and upper sides ( 5 ) of the voussoirs ( 3 ) forming the same. The base ( 1 ) has a geometric shape which coincides with the geometric shape of the horizontal segments ( 8 ). A procedure for the assembly of said caisson for maritime works is also described.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of civil construction andmore specifically to that of maritime works.

It is proposed a caisson for maritime works comprised of a plurality ofvoussoirs of polymer material forming horizontal segments which arejoined to each other to form the lateral wall of the caisson, and a basejoined to the lateral wall and which may be of any type of material,preferably metallic or polymeric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of maritime works is of particular note the construction ofseawalls in ports, which are structures that enable the reduction of theaction of the sea swell on the ports where they are installed.

Among this type of construction are known, for example, verticalseawalls which are vertical walled that are monolithic and haveimpermeable walls. This type of seawall is generally constructed withreinforced concrete caisson and has a gravitational performance, thatis, the stability of the caisson is based on its own mass.

The differentiating characteristic of vertical seawalls with respect toother types of seawall (such as, for example, embankments consisting ofdifferently-sized artificial and/or natural riprap and generally withconcrete shoulders) is that they reflect the practical entirety of thesea swell energy, reflecting the swell action as a rigid verticalmonolithic wall. Vertical barriers must be sufficiently resistant tosliding and overturning.

Caissons for vertical seawalls may also be employed for the constructionof barriers and quays for the mooring of ships. Likewise they may beused as filling containment for obtaining surface platforms.

Currently, concrete caissons are manufactured directly in the sea,afterwards are transported and sunk at their desired location. The mostimportant technical problems associated with this procedure concern thelarge quantity of resources and machinery required for the constructionof the caissons directly in the sea.

Different proposals for materials and construction methods of thecaissons for maritime works to be used in the construction of verticalseawalls are known in the state of the art. Known examples are thecaissons fabricated by the union of voussoirs laterally linked to eachother and anchored into a slab.

The technical problem associated with this solution is that, for someembodiments, particularly the embodiments where the caissons have a veryhigh height, the caisson obtained is not sufficiently resistant. This isdue to the fact that in some cases the voussoirs of which it iscomprised present sagging problems.

Another technical problem associated to this embodiment in the casesdescribed is that the difficulty of the transport from the factory tothe port of the elements forming the caisson is increased since thevoussoirs have a great height.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The caisson for maritime works described herein is especially designedto be installed in vertical seawalls, and allows solving the problemsdescribed above.

This is a prefabricated caisson formed by a base and a plurality ofvoussoirs which generate a plurality of horizontal segments to be joinedtogether to form thus a lateral wall of the casing which is attached tothe base.

In other words, an important essential characteristic of the caisson ofthe present invention is that at least one lateral wall of the caissonis comprised of a plurality of voussoirs joined to each other, forminghorizontal segments. This is to say, the total height of the caisson isobtained by joining, one above the other, a plurality of horizontalsegments.

In order to prevent the existence of leaks from and into the interior ofthe caisson, it is necessary that all the joints between the voussoirsforming the horizontal segments are perfectly sealed. Likewise, it hasto be guarantee the correct seal at the joints between the horizontalsegments.

Due to the fact that the lateral sides of the caisson are formed byhorizontal segments, the links between voussoirs are simplified,substantially improving their structural performance and theirconstruction.

Furthermore, as the height of the voussoirs is less than that of thecasing because the total height of the casing is obtained by the unionof several horizontal segments, the transport of said items may beperformed in a simpler and more economical manner.

Besides, in an example of a preferred embodiment, the sections arefabricated in polymeric material reinforced with fibre and the base isfabricated in a metallic material. The base is preferably metallic as itis used as lost formwork with a lower cost than fabricating it inpolymer material as is the case of the lateral wall.

In an example of an embodiment, the caisson further comprises aplurality of vertical columns attached to the voussoirs and which may beused as stiffeners or as formwork to be filled with reinforced concrete,and which transmit to the base the loads generated by the placement of aslab of concrete, should this be required, as a cover for the main spaceto be filled with ballast.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a supplement to the description made herein, and for the purpose ofaiding the better understanding of the characteristics of the invention,in accordance with a preferred example of a practical embodiment of thesame, a set of drawings is attached wherein, by way of illustration andnot limitation, the following is portrayed:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the caisson for maritime works with aplurality of voussoirs arranged so as to form vertical joints leadingfrom the upper extremity of the caisson to the base of the same.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the caisson for maritime works withthe lateral wall sections arranged in a staggered manner.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view in which the horizontal segments formed byadjacent voussoirs.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the caisson for maritime works of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the caisson for maritime works wherethe vertical columns are used as formwork and are filled with reinforcedconcrete.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the caisson for maritime works wheresome of the vertical columns are used as stiffeners and others asformwork filled with reinforced concrete.

FIG. 7 shows a view of a horizontal chemical joint between voussoirs ofcontacting horizontal segments.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An example of an embodiment of the present invention is described belowwith the aid of FIGS. 1-7.

As may be observed in FIG. 1, a caisson for maritime works is proposed,comprising a base (1) and at least one lateral wall (2) attached to thesame and formed by a plurality of voussoirs (3) within which a mainspace (4) is defined, intended to receive ballast material. FIG. 2 showsa caisson as the one of FIG. 1, but where the voussoirs (3) are arrangedin a staggered manner.

The voussoirs (3) have an upper side (5), a lower side (6) and lateralsides (7) and are arranged with the lateral sides (7) of adjacentvoussoirs (3) attached to each other forming horizontal segments (8), asmay be observed for example in FIG. 3. Said horizontal segments (8) arejoined to other identical horizontal segments (8) to define the lateralwall (2) of the casing by means of the union of the upper sides (5) andlower sides (6) of the voussoirs (3) forming the same. Preferably, thevoussoirs (3) are fabricated in a fibre-reinforced polymer material.More specifically, the fibre in the polymer material may be selectedbetween glass fibre and carbon fibre, with epoxy, polyester orvinylester resin.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the caisson wherein the voussoirs (3)and the base (1), which are the essential elements, can be seen. Otherelements comprised by the caisson in preferred embodiments, such as thevertical columns (9) and the primary stiffeners (10) in the base (1) canalso be seen.

The base (1) has a geometric shape which coincides with the geometricshape of the horizontal segments (8). In an example of an embodiment,the base (1) has a polygonal configuration and the lateral wall (2) hasa polygonal prismatic configuration. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the lateral wall (2) has a cylindrical configuration and thebase (1) has a circular configuration. In another embodiment, the base(1) further comprises primary stiffeners (10) in order to increase itsstructural strength.

Preferably, the base (1) is fabricated in parts which are attachedtogether to form a single item. In an example of a preferred embodimentsaid base (1) is fabricated in a metallic material. In anotherembodiment the base (1) is fabricated in a fibre-reinforced polymermaterial.

To reinforce the caisson it comprises a plurality of vertical columns(9) joined to the voussoirs (3). Said vertical columns (9) may bereinforcing elements acting as stiffeners or may be used as formwork. Inthis second case, where the vertical columns (9) are used as formwork,they may be permanent formwork or temporary formwork with an emptycavity in their interior intended to be filled with reinforced concrete(this concrete may be reinforced with fibres or with structural steel).In this way, a concrete column is formed, which enables transmission ofthe loads of the caisson. More specifically, at the upper surface of thecaisson a concrete slab is laid, this being the element which covers themain space (4) formed between the lateral wall (2) and the base (1) ofthe caisson. The vertical concrete columns (9) enable the transmissionof loads from the upper slab (which is also of concrete) to the base (1)of the caisson, allowing the voussoirs (3) of the lateral wall (2)acting enclosing the ballast in the main space (4) of the caisson.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the caisson in an embodiment comprising aplurality of vertical columns (9) arranged within the main space (4),acting as formwork and filled with reinforced concrete. FIG. 6 shows anembodiment where some of the vertical columns (9) are being used asformwork, with reinforced concrete in their interior, and others areacting merely as stiffeners.

The joints between the voussoirs (3) may be mechanical joints orchemical joints (11). Chemical joints are comprised of adhesives, andmore specifically, brine-resistant adhesives. This type of joint may beseen for example in FIG. 7, where the horizontal joint formed by thecoupling of two voussoirs (3) arranged one above the other has beendepicted. Moreover, mechanical joints preferably comprise the use ofrivets or bolted couplings. The arrangement of the voussoirs may beperformed in such a way that the joints between voussouirs formingstacked horizontal segments are aligned, or said stacking may beperformed so that the assembly of different horizontal segmentsgenerates a staggered arrangement of the joints between the voussoirs(as may be seen in FIG. 2). Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, thejoints between the vertical columns (9) and the voussoirs (3) arechemical joints or mechanical joints.

An example of an embodiment of the caisson it further comprises aplurality of secondary stiffeners arranged within the main space, joinedto the voussoirs. This enables an increase in the strength of thecaisson and an improvement in its structural resilience.

Likewise, a procedure for the assembly of a caisson for maritime worksas described above is also an object of the present invention.

In a first example of an embodiment, the procedure for the assembly ofthe caisson comprises the following stages:

-   -   joining a voussoir (3) to the base (1) by its lower side (6),    -   joining voussoirs (3) adjacent to the aforementioned voussoir by        their lateral sides (7) and to the base (1) by their lower sides        (6) so as to form a first horizontal segment (8),    -   joining a voussoir (3) by its lower side (6) to the upper side        of the voussoirs (3) of the horizontal segment (8) immediately        below,    -   joining voussoirs (3) adjacent to the aforementioned voussoir by        their lateral sides (7) and to the horizontal segment (8)        immediately below by their lower sides (6) so as to form the        next horizontal segment (8),    -   repeating the above stages until the lateral wall (2) is        completed.

In an example of an embodiment, said assembly procedure is comprised ofthe following stages:

-   -   joining the mutually adjacent voussoirs by their lateral sides        (7) to form the horizontal segments (8),    -   joining one horizontal segment (8) to the base (1) by the lower        sides (6) of the voussoirs (3) forming said segment,    -   joining together the remainder of the horizontal segments (8) to        form the lateral wall (2).

In another example of an embodiment, said assembly procedure iscomprised of the following stages:

-   -   joining adjacent voussoirs together by their lateral sides (7)        to form the horizontal segments (8),    -   joining together the horizontal segments (8) by the upper sides        (5) and lower sides (6) of the voussoirs of which they are        formed, so as to form the lateral wall (2),    -   joining the lateral wall (2) to the base (1) by joining the        lower sides (6) of the voussoirs (3) forming the lowest        horizontal segment to the base (1).

The procedure may further comprise a stage of placing vertical columns(9) within the main space (4) of the casing and attaching the verticalcolumns (9) to the voussoirs (3). These vertical columns (9) arearranged and attached to the voussoirs (3) to reinforce the joints andto increase structural strength.

Likewise to improve the structural strength of the caisson, the assemblyprocedure may include a stage of joining the primary stiffeners (10) tothe base by means of chemical or mechanical joints.

Finally, the assembly procedure may comprise, subsequent to the stagesof assembly of the caisson at the port (as described above), thefollowing stages:

-   -   launching the caisson in the sea,    -   ballasting the caisson, partially filling the main space (4),    -   towing the caisson by sea to its final position,    -   sinking the caisson by filling the main space (4).

Therefore, as has been described above, the caisson is assembled at theport, this being the location closest to the final position in which itis to be installed (this being in the sea). Thus, the elements whichform the caisson may be transported independently from the factory tothe port. This enables speeding up the transport operations as the itemsto be transported are much smaller and lighter than the completeassembly. This facilitates travel operations and reduces associatedcosts, in addition to reducing timings.

Subsequently, once at the port, the assembly of the caisson is executed;once assembled, it is launched in the sea and taken to the finallocation for its installation. Said assembly could also be executed atthe factory in the event that the users should prefer this for aparticular reason.

1. A caisson for maritime works comprising a base (1), and at least onelateral wall (2) attached to the same and formed by a plurality ofvoussoirs (3) forming a closed surface within which a main space (4),intended to receive ballast material, is defined, and the caisson ischaracterised in that: the voussoirs (3) have an upper side (5), a lowerside (6) and lateral sides (7), and are arranged with lateral sides (7)of adjacent voussoirs (3) joined to each other forming horizontalsegments (8), and said horizontal segments (8) are joined to otheridentical horizontal segments (8) to define the lateral wall (2) of thecasing by means of the union of the upper sides (5) and lower sides (6)of the voussoirs (3) forming the same, the base (1) has a geometricshape which coincides with the geometric shape of the horizontalsegments (8).
 2. A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in claim 1,characterised in that the voussoirs (3) are of fibre-reinforced polymermaterial.
 3. A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in claim 1,characterised in that the base (1) is metallic.
 4. A caisson formaritime works, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the base(1) is of fibre-reinforced polymer material.
 5. A caisson for maritimeworks, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the lateral wall (2)has a cylindrical configuration and the base (1) has a circularconfiguration.
 6. A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in claim 1,characterised in that the joints between horizontal segments (8) arechemical or mechanical joints.
 7. A caisson for maritime works, asclaimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a plurality ofvertical columns (9) attached to the voussoirs (3).
 8. A caisson formaritime works, as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the jointsbetween the vertical columns (9) and the voussoirs (3) are chemical ormechanical joints.
 9. A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in claim7, characterised in that the vertical columns (9) are formwork intendedto receive reinforced concrete in their interior and are configured totransmit the weight of the upper concrete slab, laid on the lateral wallof the casing as a cover for the main space (4), to the base(1).
 10. Acaisson for maritime works, as claimed in claim 9, characterised in thatthe formwork is metallic or made of fibre.
 11. A caisson for maritimeworks, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the joints betweenthe voussoirs (3) are any combination of chemical or mechanical joints.12. A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in claim 1 or 4,characterised in that the fibre of the polymer material is selectedbetween glass fibre and carbon fibre, with epoxy, polyester orvinylester resin.
 13. A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in claim1, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of primary stiffeners(10) at its base.
 14. A caisson for maritime works, as claimed in claim1, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of secondarystiffeners arranged within the main space (4) and attached to thevoussoirs (3).
 15. A procedure for the assembly of a caisson formaritime works such as that described in claims 1 to 14, characterisedin that it comprises the following stages: joining a voussoir (3) to thebase (1) by its lower side (6), joining voussoirs (3) adjacent to theaforementioned voissoir by their lateral sides (7) and to the base (1)by their lower sides (6) so as to form a first horizontal segment (8),joining a voussoir (3) by its lower side (6) to the upper side (5) ofthe voussoirs (3) of the horizontal segment (8) immediately below,joining voussoirs (3) adjacent to the aforementioned voissoir by theirlateral sides (7) and to the horizontal segment (8) immediately below bytheir lower sides (6) so as to form the next horizontal segment (8),repeating the above stages until the lateral wall (2) is completed. 16.A procedure for the assembly of a caisson for maritime works such asthat described in claims 1 to 14, characterised in that it comprises thefollowing stages: joining adjacent voissoirs together by their lateralsides (7) to form the horizontal segments (8), joining one horizontalsegment (8) to the base (1) by the lower sides (6) of the voussoirs (3)forming said segment, joining together the remaining horizontal segments(8) to said horizontal segment (8) attached to the base (1) to form thelateral wall (2).
 17. A procedure for the assembly of a caisson formaritime works such as that described in claims 1 to 14, characterisedin that it comprises the following stages: joining adjacent voussoirstogether by their lateral sides (7) to form the horizontal segments (8),joining together the horizontal segments (8) by the lower sides (6) andupper sides (5) of the voussoirs of which they are formed, so as to formthe lateral wall (2), joining the lateral wall (2) to the base (1) byjoining the lower sides (6) of the svoussoirs (3) forming the lowesthorizontal segment to the base (1).
 18. A procedure for the assembly ofa caisson as claimed in one of claims 15 to 17, characterised in that itfurther comprises a stage of placing vertical columns (9) in the mainspace (4) and joining said vertical columns (9) to the voussoirs (3).19. A procedure for the assembly of a caisson as claimed in claim 18,characterised in that it comprises a stage of filling the interior ofthe vertical columns (9) with reinforced concrete.
 20. A procedure forthe assembly of a caisson as claimed in one of claims 15 to 17,characterised in that it comprises a stage of joining primary stiffeners(10) to the base (1).
 21. A procedure for the assembly of a caisson asclaimed in one of claims 15 to 17, characterised in that it subsequentlycomprises the following stages: launching the caisson in the sea,ballasting the caisson by partially filling the main space (4), towingthe casing by sea to its final position, sinking the casing by fillingthe main space (4).